Examine the picture on page 480. Note the boat and the box of letters in the upper left corner. What country do you think the picture depicts? Next, listen as your teacher reads the Prereading information aloud. Then read the definition of a mortar on page 482 in footnote 3, and have someone draw a picture of a mortar and pestle on the board. Discuss what a mortar is and brainstorm ideas about what a magic mortar might do.
With a partner, read the first four paragraphs of the folk tale. Stop and make a prediction about what will happen to the poor younger brother. Then read to the bottom of column one on page 484. What do you think will happen to the older brother? Then read to the end of the story.
If you are having difficulty reading the folk tale, allow pictures to form in your mind as you read. Picture what the two brothers look like. Taste and smell things such as the wheat cakes and the salt. Hear how the characters would talk to each other. Reread difficult sections so you get a clear picture of what is happening.
What predictions did you make? How did you change your predictions as you continued to read the folk tale? Go back and reread sections of the folk tale that describe what happens to both brothers.